Varanasi | In a nationwide push to combat drug abuse among India’s youth, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports is set to host a two-day summit in Varanasi starting July 19. The initiative, titled Youth Spiritual Summit – Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat, will unite more than 500 young delegates representing over 100 spiritual and socio-cultural organisations from across the country.
The event will see the presence of several prominent leaders, including Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, and Union Ministers Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Dr. Virendra Kumar, Nityanand Rai, and Raksha Nikhil Khadse. Senior ministers from Uttar Pradesh—Girish Yadav, Asim Arun, and Nitin Agarwal—are also expected to participate.
According to the ministry, the summit is a key step in launching a value-based, youth-led Jan Andolan—or people’s movement—against drug addiction. Structured around a blend of spiritual reflections, cultural presentations, and interactive dialogues, the summit will feature four plenary sessions focused on critical areas: the psychological and social impacts of addiction, dismantling drug supply chains, grassroots awareness strategies, and formulating a national action plan for a drug-free India.
Delegates will engage in idea-sharing platforms such as expert-led talks, whiteboard ideation forums, and action-driven workshops designed to promote fresh thinking and collaborative solutions.
The event will conclude on July 20 with the unveiling of the Kashi Declaration—a joint resolution by youth and spiritual leaders outlining a unified vision and roadmap toward a drug-free India. This declaration is expected to guide policymakers, NGOs, and grassroots organisations in future de-addiction and rehabilitation initiatives.
Aligned with the MY Bharat platform, the summit also marks the beginning of a nationwide outreach drive. Under this framework, MY Bharat volunteers and youth clubs will lead pledge campaigns, awareness drives, and community engagement programs in towns, cities, and villages across the country.
By blending spiritual wisdom with youth-led activism, the summit seeks to foster a national movement rooted in values, resilience, and community responsibility.
